MARKET | SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12 | 4–10 PM | $10–$13 (KIDS FREE)
ABQ Headbangers Market
The Headbangers Market is a step into a realm beyond the ordinary, where darker-themed arts, crafts, and live heavy music collide. Join us on Saturday, October 12th, from 4–10 PM at FUSION!
This event was created for individuals who embrace the darker side of aesthetics as well as the heavier side of music. The Headbangers Market brings together a blend of arts, crafts, and music merchandise, paired with live musicians onstage entertaining the crowd with powerful, energetic music as well as performers delivering captivating acts. While the music is mostly Heavy Metal, their goal is to create an inclusive experience that resonates with the Metal, Rock, Goth, Punk, and Horror community while also extending a warm welcome to those who may just want to explore something different. They curate vendors who create handmade, macabre and gothic items as well as those who offer Heavy Metal merchandise and memorabilia for the music fans. In addition, they hold a raffle with prizes donated by businesses and local community members who were willing to contribute gift certificates, musical equipment, and a variety of other prizes. They take pride in supporting local scene while striving to create an immersive and memorable event that uplifts the New Mexican community aligned with these subcultures.
In the short time they have been around, they have developed a strong following and, to their surprise, they were recently nominated as Top 5 of the 2024 in the "Best Annually Produced Event” category of the New Mexico Entertainment Magazine. This will be their 5th Headbanger’s Market and they’re looking forward to, once again, expanding our audience through FUSION!
Admission is $10 with online presale tickets or $13 at the door. Presale tickets offer reduced pricing for those who secure their spots ahead of time.
Free entry for children under 12!
ABOUT ABQ HEADBANGERS MARKET
The ABQ Headbanger’s Market is a self-funded, grassroots effort that began in 2021. Brenda and Michael Lopez, who are the driving forces behind the event, met at a heavy metal concert in 2010 and have always shared a passion for music and concerts. Along with the help of Andres Diaz, a close friend who also shared a love for live heavy music, the ABQ Headbangers Market event was created.
Brenda had been involved in the arts and crafts scene as a small business owner. She was inspired by events that had a non-traditional theme. She had the idea to combine a metal concert with an arts and crafts market, which is where the concept of The ABQ Headbanger’s Market began. After working closely with a group of artists and building new creative connections within the Downtown and OT Circus gallery scene, she recognized an opportunity to bring her vision to life as the 2021 covid restrictions began to ease. She gathered a group of artists and crafters, handpicking the ones she felt best fit with the theme.
Michael added his own innovative ideas, which helped to refine and shape the overall event. He aligned more with the concert side, and wanted to give the musicians a suitable setup and platform to perform. So with the help of a skilled friend named Pepo, the team built their own stage for the first Headbangers Market and used simple, cost-effective techniques for stage lighting and effects. Despite their inexperience in event planning, as well as limited resources and budget, they aimed to deliver a quality event.
Andres, their friend who was equally passionate about the event's concept and its success, helped along the way. With his charismatic charm, he naturally took on the role of the event's stage host. The trio's familiarity with many of the local metal bands from attending numerous live performances helped with the selection process and all together created the framework for the event.
The first ABQ Headbanger’s Market took place October, 16th 2021 at the downtown OT Circus galley during a period when the art and music community was emerging from the challenges of the pandemic. Brenda believed it was the perfect opportunity to bring both worlds together to create a unique experience for attendees, while helping musicians and vendors get back on their feet. The first event went off without a hitch and received a very positive response from the community. The ABQ Headbangers Market played a significant role in contributing to the Downtown post-pandemic reactivation movement, providing opportunities for the talented and creative local artists and fans to express themselves, connect with like-minded individuals, and build a sense of community.
The team, which also includes an inner circle of friends and family members as key contributors (Luis, Trisha, Pepo, and Stephany, to name a few) have since produced 4 different events, making this event at FUSION the 5th. The team hopes to keep this event going for many years to come.
Quality bar service provided by Safe House Distilling Co. and Teller Genuine Vodka.
